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distance travelled
speed =
time taken
The standard unit for speed in physics is m/s, but other units
such as kilometres per hour (km/h) are more convenient
when measuring the speed of vehicles. Why is this?
distance
speed =
time
= 1,500
100
= 15 m/s
s =
d
t
x
7 of 46 © Boardworks Ltd 2007
Calculating speed question
A car travels at 25 m/s for
3 minutes. How far does
it travel?
distance
speed =
time
= 25 x 180
= 4,500 m = 4.5 km
distance
time time
13 of 46 © Boardworks Ltd 2007
What’s the speed?
What is the speed of the object between points A and B?
B
70
the object has moved
60 60 m (70 - 10 )
distance (m)
50
40 it took 3 s to move this
30 distance (6 - 3)
20
A speed = distance/time
10
= 60/3
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 = 20 m/s
time (s)
A train accelerates in a
straight line from rest. As it
does, its velocity increases.
change in speed
acceleration =
time taken
change in speed
acceleration =
time taken
60
=
4
= 15 m/s2
a =
s
t
x
21 of 46 © Boardworks Ltd 2007
Acceleration problem
A hungry cheetah spots a gazelle and decides to chase it.
The cheetah accelerates at 10 m/s2 from rest until it reaches
20 m/s. How long did this take?
change in speed
acceleration =
time taken
change in speed
time taken =
acceleration
= 20
10
= 2s
35
the object’s speed has
30 increased by 20 m/s
B
speed (m/s)
25 (25 - 5)
20
15 it took 4 s to change
speed (6 - 2)
10
A
5 acceleration = speed/time
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 = 20/4
time (s) = 5 m/s2